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As a quarterback who often fell asleep during post-midnight, game-film study sessions in college, Josh Johnson initially bonded with Jim Harbaugh over their shared passion for all things football.

In 2003, during a recruiting visit to Oakland Tech High, Harbaugh lined up pencils in front of Johnson that represented defensive fronts and launched into an X’s-and-O’s discussion.

“He always wanted to talk football, and that’s the kind of guy I was,” Johnson said Friday in a conference call with reporters. “I just wanted to talk football all the time and learn something new about football. Once I got around him, I was able to do that.”

After spending three seasons together at the University of San Diego from 2004-06, the kindred spirits reunited Thursday when Johnson signed a two-year deal with the 49ers after spending his first four NFL seasons as a backup in Tampa Bay. Johnson, 25, is expected to battle Colin Kaepernick for the backup spot behind Alex Smith. He said the specifics of his future role weren’t discussed prior to his signing, but he believes his bottom-line coach will give him a chance to play if he earns the right.

“I know coach has never shot me wrong before,” Johnson said. “I know it’s all about hard work with him and getting it done on the field. And I know coming here, that’s what it’s going to be all about. And that’s the kind of guy I am. I like to prove it on the field.”

Johnson hopes his second go-around with Harbaugh mirrors his first. Barely recruited before going to USD, Johnson rode the bench as a freshman before embarking on a record-setting career that included 113 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Johnson credits Harbaugh for his college success, infusing him with confidence and a football mind to match his athletic abilities. Now Johnson is in a similar spot. He is 0-5 as an NFL starter, with a 57.7 passer rating.

He took a free-agent visit to Washington, where he has Tampa Bay ties. Redskins general manager Bruce Allen drafted him in the fifth round in 2008 and defensive backs coach Raheem Morris was his head coach for three seasons.

In San Francisco, he can reconnect with Harbaugh and others who helped him become the first USD player selected in the NFL draft. Niners wide receivers coach John Morton and offensive line coach Tim Drevno coached Johnson in college. In the end, the choice was easy.

“Why not … grow up in the pros under the same coaching staff that I grew up in college under?” Johnson said.

Holt gets a look: The 49ers will bring in Cal inside linebacker D.J. Holt for a predraft workout in April, according to a source. Holt (6-0, 245), who is projected as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent, ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in tackles (82) and tackles for loss (10.5) last year.